Direct transformation of calcium sulfite to α-calcium sulfate hemihydrate in a concentrated Ca–Mg–Mn chloride solution under atmospheric pressure

Massive quantities of sulfite-rich flue gas desulfurization (FGD) scrubber sludge have been generated by coal burning power plants. Utilization of the sulfite-rich sludge for preparing α-calcium sulfate hemihydrate (α-HH), an important kind of cementitious material, is of particular interest to electric utilities and environmental preservation. In the experiment, calcium sulfite hemihydrate was directly transformed to α-HH without the occurrence of calcium sulfate dihydrate (DH). The transformation was performed in a concentrated CaCl2 solution containing Mg2+ and Mn2+ at 95 °C, atmospheric pressure and low pH. The oxidation of calcium sulfite and the subsequent crystallization of α-HH constitute the whole conversion, during which the oxidation turns out to be the rate controlling step. Solid solution comprised of calcium sulfite hemihydrate and calcium sulfate was found to coexist with α-HH in the suspension. Calcium sulfate increases and calcium sulfite decreases spontaneously until the solid solution disappears. Thus, it is a potential alternative to utilize sulfite-rich FGD scrubber sludge for the direct preparation of α-HH.